New Primer: Understanding Common Assertions about Climate Policies

Andrew Evans

With climate policy under consideration in Congress, AAF’s Director of Energy Policy Philip Rossetti examines some of the central claims often made about the benefits of such plans, including “Climate policies stimulate economic growth,” and “Clean-energy mandates save money.” This primer also answers key questions around how to think about climate policy.

He concludes:

Beware grandiose policy ideas that promise simplicity to climate change. Promises of benefits are often exaggerated, and assumptions of reciprocity abroad are unproven. Addressing climate change adequately requires concerted foreign policy efforts, robust policies that shift incentives away from pollution, and clear roadblocks to innovation. The United States alone will never be able to regulate or subsidize greenhouse gas emissions enough to effectively address climate change.